Qu Yi stares at the group of girls wearing yellow scarves, brown shirts, and yellow skirts or tights blocking the way to the breakfast line. A few girls are talking with them, trying to get them to move. Everyone else in the cafeteria is staying back and watching, seemingly too afraid to approach the girls themselves.

  Qu Yi speaks up. “Well, why are they blocking the way?”

  Yan Liang frowns, looking to the group of girls with yellow scarves. “It seems they are protesting, but I don’t understand why they are doing it here. If they have so called demands, shouldn’t they talk to the staff about it?”

  Wen Chou looks annoyed as she looks in their direction, folding her arms. “Personally, if they get in the way of my breakfast, I think I might force them to move myself.”

  Qu Yi thinks to her first day. While it is true the Yellow Scarves seemed very abrasive, their president, Zhang Jue, didn’t seem to want them to act that way. “M-Maybe I can talk with them.”

  Both roommates stare at Qu Yi in shock. “Newbie, that might not be the best idea. You’re pretty shy and you had trouble even going with Yuan Shao.”

  Qu Yi shakes her head. “Well, when I talked to Zhang Jue, she calmed down the other Yellow Scarves when they were harassing me. Maybe we should try to talk to them and remind them that this isn’t what she wanted.”

  Yan Liang has a look of unsurety on her face. “Qu Yi, I know you mean well, but sometimes you can maybe expect too much from people.”

  Qu Yi sighs, thinking to herself. “I want to take everyone back with me. They all deserve to live. I need to make friends, even with those who seem scary and mean at first.”

  Wen Chou ses the determined look on Qu Yi’s face. “Newbie, seems you got that stubborn look. Tell you what, we can try it your way, but if things get hairy, me and Yan Liang will be right behind you.”

  Yan Liang nods. “Y-Yeah! If they say anything rude, I’ll be sure to give them a good talking to.”

  Qu Yi turns to her two roommates and smiles. “Thanks you two.” She heads to the Yellow Scarves with her roommates right behind her. As she approaches, she sees that the one that appears to be the leader is much taller than she is. She slows, but knows she must do her best. As they approach, they overhear the argument some of the girls are having.

  “Listen!” a girl with light pink hair wearing a purple uniform says. “You can’t just block the line for all the students because you’re upset with something at the school.”

  The Yellow Scarf has a miscut homemade skirt that varies in length with yellow tights underneath it. She has a brown tanktop, thin yellow scarf around her neck and a yellow hairband keeping the bangs of her messy short orange hair out of her eyes. “Listen, dog of Dong Zhuo. You have your own classroom and your own authority at the school, but you have no power here!”

  The girl in purple frowns. Upon closer inspection, Qu Yi notices she is wearing what looks like an officer’s uniform with a matching purple skirt. “I’m not a ‘dog.’ I’m hall monitor, Xu Rong. I’m just trying to enforce justice and help the students get what they need. And students need a healthy breakfast. What’s your name?”

  The orange haired yellow scarf scoffs as her groupies chuckle amongst themselves. “I’m Zhou Cang,” she smirks. “And what do you plan to do if we don’t let students get food?”

  At this moment Qu Yi approaches. “E-Excuse me?” she manages to let out, trying to speak as loud as she can.

  The orange-haired girl looks down at her. “What do you want?” She notices her uniform. “Ohhh, one of the snooty whelps from Yuan Shao’s class?”

  Qu Yi sighs, trying to ignore the insult. She was used to doing that at her old school. She’s about to ask a question, but the girl named Xu Rong jumps out in front of Qu Yi. “Stay back, schoolmate. This student is being incredibly disruptive. I wouldn’t want you to be involved.”

  Yan Liang is about to grab Qu Yi’s hand, but Wen Chou grabs her shoulder to stop her. “Qu Yi is giving her all. We should have some faith in her.” Yan Liang looks at Wen Chou, then back at Qu Yi concerned, before she slowly nods.

  Zhou Cang laughs at Xu Rong. “Oh? So, I’m being disruptive, am I? You should report to your staff whose boots you lick.. They know the unfair treatment that our class has been getting!”

  Qu Yi looks up at the girl. “Um, what treatment is unfair? This is the first I’ve heard about it.”

  The yellow scarf scoffs at Qu Yi. “Of course you wouldn’t know about it. You’re one of the snooties that only cares about being pampered and living the rich life!”

  Qu Yi tries to speak up. “A-Actually, I-I haven’t…” She squeezes her fists closed, summoning courage. “We shouldn’t judge each other by how we appear.” She looks up to the girl. “C-Can you please tell me the problem? P-Perhaps I can find a way to help.”

  “Haha, you hear that?” She turns to her posse behind her, “Shorty McSnooty is pretending to care.” She turns back to Qu Yi. “Get out of here, pompous snob!”

  Qu Yi frowns. “L-Look, I know Zhang Jue wouldn’t want this. If you won’t stop for us, please stop for her?”

  “How dare you speak as if you pretend to know our president!” Zhou Cang pushes Qu Yi back, Qu Yi loses her balance, her mind rushes as her breathing becomes panicked. She really thought this place was going to be different? It’s just another school after all. She’s just going to be bullied agai-

  Qu Yi feels a soft comfort behind her, breaking her fall. “Gotcha!” She looks up to see Yan Liang smiling at her. “You okay?”

  Qu Yi lets out a thankful smile, about to respond when she suddenly sees a yellow blur pass by her. She looks up and gets a good look at Wen Chou, right fist closed, arm pulled back as she is jumping at the girl who just pushed her.

  THOCK!

  In an instant of sudden movement, the orange haired girl falls, catching her fall with her elbows.

  Wen Chou picks up the scarf of the girl she just decked in the face, pulling her face close to hers. “DON’T. EVER. LAY. YOUR HANDS. ON. MY FRIEND. AGAIN.”

  The group of Yellow Scarves behind Zhou Cang slowly advance upon Wen Chou. She gives them an instantaneous glare and punches her right fist into her left palm. “Trust me, you REALLY want to tap out now.”

  The glare apparently works its magic as the girls look to Zhou Cang, their tallest member, who already has a goose egg growing where she was just punched. The rest of the members of the Yellow Scarves run away in separate directions.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “Well, that takes care of that. Now.” Wen Chou looks down at Zhou Cang. “I’m expecting a full-fledged apology to my friend here, and you’re going to tell her exactly what the problem is.”

  Zhou Cang is rubbing her forehead looking up to Xu Rong who is folding her arms, staring at her. “H-Hey! Hall monitor! You saw! This girl just attacked me!” She points up to Wen Chou.

  “Well, what I SAW was YOU push a small girl who was trying to talk to you and understand your point of view, and her friend protecting her.” She smiles at Yan Liang before turning to Wen Chou. “And while I don’t approve of how it was handled, I’ll be sure to pass it on to the ‘staff whose boots I lick’ and give them the whole story.” Qu Yi frowns, being called a “small girl.” “Anyway, if you can move over, we can get the line started for breakfast.”

  Zhou Cang sighs in defeat as she moves out of the line. She looks back up to Wen Chou, who is still glaring at her.

  “Now, I believe we’re waiting on that apology and an explanation.”

  Yan Liang helps Qu Yi to her feet as the two walk over to the girl.

  Zhou Cang avoids eye contact with Qu Yi as she quietly mutters, “S-Sorry, shrimp.”

  Qu Yi smiles. “U-Um, it’s fine. My name is Qu Yi actually… I can understand you must be, uh, very upset to have acted like that. Could you please tell me what happened?”

  Zhou Cang looks at her confused, as she sits up. “You’re really trying to help? You’re not just going to laugh at us?”

  “I don’t know why I would.” Qu Yi smiles as she sits down next to Zhou Cang. “I talked with Zhang Jue on my first day here. She seemed really nice, so I don’t understand why you would be doing this in her name.”

  Zhou Cang looks at Qu Yi, then looks down. “Zhang Jue went missing.”

  “Huh?” Qu Yi raises an eyebrow surprised. “Missing, how?”

  “Zhang Jue’s sister, Zhang Bao, says that she must have been expelled from school by the staff, as the staff has never liked us Yellow Scarves class. We don’t even have an official classroom. We always just have to meet outside under one of the pavilions on the school grounds.”

  Qu Yi thinks. “Well I know one of the staff. I can try to bring this up with him.”

  Zhou Cang shakes her head. “Anytime we’ve tried, we’ve always been ignored! It is time for more desperate measures! Zhang Bao said so herself! With the disappearance of Zhang Jue, now is the time to make ourselves heard!”

  Qu Yi listens and nods. “While her disappearance may be concerning, I think you are taking things too quickly and aggressively. Perhaps instead of blocking people’s breakfast, you can spread the word in line?”

  Zhou Cang folds her arms, huffing. “If we do that, then it’s the same as doing nothing!”

  Qu Yi shakes her head. “Right now I feel you are being counterproductive. You’re not getting students behind your cause. You’re only getting them upset with your cause. Even if your cause is just, you’re only punishing those who are uninvolved, turning their neutrality into hostility.”

  “Hm.” Zhou Cang thinks for a bit, “You may be onto something, Shrimpy, but what should I do then?”

  “Well, if spreading the word doesn’t work, I do know of something that happens when someone loses someone, but it’s more like for a lost pet…” She shakes her head. “Well it can probably work in this case also!” Qu Yi looks up to both Yan Liang and Wen Chou. “Do students have access to a copy machine?”

  Yan Liang nods. “There’s one in the library, but I don’t know if Yellow Scarves are allowed to use it, since their class isn’t, well, officially recognized.”

  Zhou Cang jumps up. “See, this is the stuff I’m talking about!”

  Qu Yi stands up with her, still looking up to her with such a major height difference. “Well, your class might not be officially recognized yet, but maybe I can make some fliers and get them passed out?”

  Zhou Cang looks to Qu Yi. “You’d really do that for us, Shrimpy? Maybe I pegged you all wrong.” She scratches her slightly tilted head.

  Qu Yi smiles, although she isn’t a fan of the nickname. “How about, I’ll meet you with the fliers at that pavilion where your class is held?”

  Yan Liang looking worried, say to Qu Yi. “Um, I don’t think Yellow Scarves normally enjoy those of other classrooms coming near that pavilion. I’ve heard stories...”

  Zhou Cang looks to Yan Liang. “Hm, your friend has a point, Shrimpy. With how things have been since Zhang Jue’s disappearance, you might have people misunderstand what you want, like I did.”

  Qu Yi thinks. “Um, well do you know where the archery range is?”

  Zhou Cang shakes her head. “Nope, but I can find out. I’ll gather a few of my buddies and we can meet you there.”

  Qu Yi smiles. “Yeah, I’d like to do that. I want to help you find Zhang Jue. I’m sure she wouldn’t want stuff like this to happen.”

  Zhou Cang grows a big grin. “Hm, maybe you’re onto something.” She turns around but then stops and turns back as her face becomes serious, “A-Anyway, I’m sorry, for real this time, for, you know, pushing you.” She rubs the back of her neck.

  Qu Yi smiles, “Don’t worry. It’s water under the bridge. We’ll make copies of the fliers and meet you there.”

  Zhou Cang’s grin grows back, “Yeah, you might be small, but you seem to want to help, Shrimpy.” She turns and runs off.

  Qu Yi lets out a sigh of relief. “I’m glad that worked out so well... I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing…”

  Wen Chou laughs. “You could have fooled me! I didn’t think you’d be able to reason with one of those Yellow Scarves, especially after they attacked you like that”

  Yan Liang has a smile on her face. “You know, Qu Yi, I admire the way you wanted to try to talk with them and still be friendly after they did that to you. I think it was pretty cool.”

  Qu Yi blushes, avoiding eye contact as she’s embarrassed. “I-I just would rather make a friend than an enemy.”

  “Hmph! Appears the situation here has been handled,” comes a high-pitched smarmy voice behind the group. The girls turn, being face to face with a short girl with purple hair tied into two short and low pigtails approaching the two. She wears a purple dress with a large black bow in the center around her stomach. Behind her is her ever-present bodyguard, a girl with two dark green braids down her back, wearing a purple military uniform, a sash across her chest and a purple military skirt. President Dong Zhuo and her overgrown lackey, Hua Xiong. “I suppose this was the work of you, Xu Rong?” Dong Zhuo’s eyes ignore the group and look to Xu Rong, who is helping the large line of students stay in single file.

  She jumps at being called, “Ah! President Ma’am!” Xu Rong stands up straight and salutes Dong Zhuo. “I can’t take the credit, ma’am. It was the girls in yellow!”

  “Girls in yellow?” Dong Zhuo repeats, before noticing the three roommates, “Oh, hmph! You three!” She folds her arms, giving them a disgusted look. “I suppose you actually did something useful!” She waves her hand dismissively. “I suppose I will send a congratulatory gift basket to your parents. ‘Your child accomplished something for once.’” She claps unenthusiastically.

  Wen Chou glares at the Corrupt Baby, stepping forward, but Qu Yi grabs her elbow lightly. “L-Let’s just let it go. We have to take care of other stuff without causing problems with her.”

  Yan Liang nods before whispering. “You’re just hungry. Let’s get you breakfast and move on.”

  Wen Chou swallows her anger and nods to the two. “Fine, only because you two asked.”

  Dong Zhuo stares at them, waiting for a comment in return, especially from Wen Chou. Not getting the reaction she wanted, she huffs. “You could at least thank me!” She turns back to Xu Rong. “Anyway, Xu Rong, you are relieved from here. We have other places that need to be settled.”

  Xu Rong salutes. “Yes, ma’am! How much more disruptions have been caused?”

  “I’ve had many reports all over. Something has these children riled up against the school. I’ll squash whatever their plans are with the full authority of my position as Hall Monitor President!” She smirks, “This authority wasn’t just given to me because of my intelligence and beauty.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Xu Rong replies but then stops, “But, ma’am, didn’t you grant yourself the position of Hall Monitor President?”

  “W-What does it matter?!” Dong Zhuo becomes flustered by Xu Rong’s bluntness. “Let’s get going!”

  “Yes, Ma’am! Both Xu Rong and Hua Xiong chime together as they follow the slow waddle of Dong Zhuo’s tiny legs.

  The three roommates look at each other, worried, “Are there many of these disruptions around the school?” Yan Liang asks in concern.

  “I guess what Zhou Cang said checks out.” Wen Chou folds her arms. “With their president missing, they are running rampant.”

  Qu Yi nods as she closes her fists in determination. “W-Well, all we have to do is find her president, then everything can go back to normal! I don’t think she could have been expelled, so I wonder where she went missing if she’s unaware all of this is going on.”

  Wen Chou’s stomach growls audibly for the three. “Well, it sounds like we need to get breakfast first, then we can talk about moving on.”

  Yan Liang laughs. “You really are hungry Wen Chou-” Suddenly her stomach growls on cue. “I-I guess we should really eat breakfast now. It’s not very cute to have your stomach growling.”

  Then Qu Yi’s stomach growls. She smiles down at her stomach. “Whew, I guess I’m not very cute now, right-” Qu Yi looks up smiling to both Yan Liang and Wen Chou who look at her blushing with a smile on their face.

  Wen Chou laughs. “Cutest stomach growl I’ve heard.”

  “Agreed! Yan Liang adds, giggling.

  “Oh, come on!” Qu Yi folds her arms, blushing, causing the two roommates to chuckle. They head to the back of the line.